Bob Baffert says he always has a good time when he comes to Monmouth Park. His 2010 experience got off to a rocky start, however, when his colt, Lookin At Lucky, drew the rail for Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational.

Lookin At Lucky had the rail for the Kentucky Derby, a race in which he was favored but also one where he encountered significant trouble in the first eighth of a mile, which forced him back to 18th early on. He would rally to finish sixth, seven lengths behind Super Saver, who is also in the Haskell and will break from post 6.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas knows the task that awaits 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in his next start is tall, so he’s doing everything in his power to have him up to it.
 

Toward that end, Lukas gave Mine That Bird another stiff, stamina-building workout Thursday morning at Saratoga. With regular rider Calvin Borel up, Mine That Bird went six furlongs in 1:12.40 over the Oklahoma training track. The move came nine days after Mine That Bird went a mile in 1:40.14.

Following a 10-week break while action on the circuit shifted south to Colonial Downs in Virginia, live racing returns to Maryland on Saturday when Laurel Park launches its summer mini-meet.

The 11-day stand, featuring three Friday twilight cards that begin at 3:35 p.m. Eastern and four Saturday and Sunday afternoon cards starting at 1:10 p.m., runs through Aug. 22.

In an attempt to appeal to non-racing fans, Laurel will offer free admission, along with drink and food specials, on Fridays. Live music is scheduled for all 11 days.

No Hesitation will face a serious challenge from Gold Medallion in the $50,000 Count Latham for 3-year-olds at Northlands Park Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile feature drew seven horses and goes as race 7.

The Count Latham is the final prep for the Grade 3, $300,000 Canadian Derby Aug. 21, and trainer Robertino Diodoro is hoping Gold Medallion is good enough to give him his first win in the most prestigious race in Alberta. He certainly has the credentials.

Trainer Steve Specht will bring the multiple-stakes-winning Lady Railrider back to the races at the Sonoma County Fair in the $50,000 Luther Burbank Stakes on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile turf test drew seven runners.

Lady Railrider makes her first start in nine months, but she has run well off a layoff before. She won the California Cup Matron last October off a five-month layoff and followed up with her first turf win in the Pacific Heights at Golden Gate Fields last Oct. 24.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Jockey Chantal Sutherland notched a meet-leading 12th stakes victory Wednesday night at Woodbine on the aptly named Race for Gold in the $126,200 Deputy Minister.

Race for Gold ($3.20) dueled with another Bob Tiller-trained runner, pacemaker Arepeatee, throughout the final quarter-mile, and prevailed by a head in a time of 1:23.98 for the seven furlongs. Ten Lakes, the 6-1 second choice, finished another length back in third in the race for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds.

Race for Gold banked $75,000 in his first stakes score for The Very Dry Stable.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Blue Chagall won his second restricted stakes in the last year with a ground-saving trip in Wednesday's $80,300 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar.

Ridden by David Flores, Blue Chagall ($24) ran a mile on turf in 1:34.19, finishing 1 1/4 lengths in front of pacesetter Aggie Engineer. Gallant Son, the 6-5 favorite, rallied from sixth in a field of seven to finish third. Ferneley, who won the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile here last August, finished last of seven in his first start of 2010.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Patrick Valenzuela launched his latest comeback in California at Del Mar on Wednesday, hoping, once again, to regain a spot among the circuit’s top riders and avoid another career derailment caused by substance abuse problems.
Valenzuela needed little time gaining support from owners and trainers. He has seven mounts on Saturday’s 10-race program, including Enriched in $200,000 San Diego Handicap.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The gate problems that plagued Perfect Shirl early in her career are a thing of the past, and the 3-year-old filly is now able to show off her true talent.

Harrah’s Entertainment has closed its acquisition of Thistledown racetrack near Cleveland, from former owner MI Developments, Harrah’s said on Wednesday.

The acquisition will add another racetrack to Harrah’s holdings, which consist mostly of casinos. The company also owns Louisiana Downs, a racetrack and casino, and has a half-share in Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., south of Cincinnati.